Na0.74Ta3O6, ein niedervalentes Oxotantalat mit einer Ta–Ta‐Mehrfachbindung

Na_0.74Ta₃O₆, a Low‐Valent Oxotantalate with Multiple Ta–Ta Bonds The title compound was prepared in a sealed tantalum tube through the reaction of Ta₂O₅, tantalum and Na₂CO₃ in a NaCl flux at 1570 K within 5 d. The crystal structure of Na_0.74Ta₃O₆ (a = 713.5(1), b = 1027.4(2), c = 639.9(1) pm, Immm, Z = 4) was determined by single crystal X‐ray means. The structure is isomorphous with NaNb₃O₅F [1]. The characteristic structural units are triply bonded Ta1₂ dumb‐bells with eight square‐prismatically co‐ordinated O ligands. Four Ta2, each octahedrally surrounded by O atoms, are side‐on bonded weakly to the binuclear Ta₂O₈ complex, thus forming a Ta₆ propellane‐like cluster. The lattice parameters of three additional M_xTa₃O₆ phases, M = Li, Mn, and Yb, are reported.     

Darstellung und Struktur von U2Ta6O19, einer neuen Verbindung mit „Jahnberg‐Struktur”︁, sowie Anmerkungen zu den ersten Oxidchloriden in den Systemen Th/Nb/O/Cl und Th/Zr(Hf)/Nb/O/Cl

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of U₂Ta₆O₁₉, a New Compound with “Jahnberg‐Structure” and a Note to the First Oxide Chlorides in the Systems Th/Nb/O/Cl and Th/Zr(Hf)/Nb/O/Cl Black crystals of U₂Ta₆O₁₉ with hexagonal shape were obtained (at T₁) by chemical transport using HCl (p (HCl, 298 K) = 1 atm; silica tube) as transport agent in a temperature gradient (T₂ → T₁; 1000 °C → 950 °C) and using a mixture of UO₂, Ta₂O₅, and HfO₂ (or ZrO₂) (1 : 2 : 2) as starting materials (at T₂). For the structure determination the best result was achieved in space group P6₃/mcm (No. 193, a = 6.26(2) Å, c = 19.86(6) Å). U₂Ta₆O₁₉ is isotypical to Th₂Ta₆O₁₉. In the crystal structure each uranium atom is surrounded by oxygen atoms like a bi‐capped trigonal antiprism and tantalum atoms like a pentagonal bipyramid (CN = 7). Like the “Jahnberg Structures” both coordination polyhedra arrange themselves in separate layers (U–O‐polyhedra, in o‐, Ta–O‐polyhedra in p‐layers) so that in the direction of the c‐axis the sequence of layers is p‐p‐o. Using chemical transport it was possible to prepare the compounds Th₁₂Nb₁₆O₆₃Cl₂ and Th₈M₄Nb₁₆O₆₃Cl₂ (M = Zr, Hf), which are the first quaternary and quinquinary examples in these systems. They crystallize isotypically.     

Syntheses and characterizations of complex perovskite oxynitrides LaMg1/3Ta2/3O2N, LaMg1/2Ta1/2O5/2N1/2, and BaSc0.05Ta0.95O2.1N0.9

The following complex oxynitride perovskites have been prepared: LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2, and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses show that LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N and LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 are isostructural to the oxide La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ (space group P2₁/n), whereas BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a simple cubic symmetry similarly to BaTaO₂N. The orderings of octahedral cations are markedly diminished in the above oxynitrides, as compared with the related oxides such as La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ and Ba₂ScTaO₆. The optical band gaps are similar for the homologous compositions, LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 and LaTaON₂ (1.9 eV), and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 and BaTaO₂N (1.8 eV), while the absorption edges become broader for the complex derivatives. As revealed from the impedance spectroscopic analysis, the oxynitrides have clearly different dielectric components from those of comparable oxides containing Ta⁵⁺. Impedance spectroscopy reveals interesting capacitor geometry in BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 in which the semiconducting oxynitride grains are separated by insulating secondary phases. Most notably BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a bulk component with a high relative permittivity (κ=7300) and the grain boundary component with an even higher κ.     

Tantalum Clusters in Oxidic Matrices — Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Eu1.83Ta15O32

The mixed‐valent oxotantalate Eu_1.83Ta₁₅O₃₂ was prepared from a compressed mixture of Ta₂O₅ and the metals in a sealed Ta ampoule at 1400 °C. The crystal structure was determined by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction: space group R3¯, a = 777.2(6) pm and c = 3523.5(3) pm, Z = 3, 984 symmetrically independent reflections, 83 variables, R_F = 0.027 for I > 2σ (I). The structure is isotypic to Ba₂Nb₁₅O₃₂. The salient feature is a [Ta(+8/3)₆O₁₂ⁱO₆^a] cluster consisting of an octahedral Ta₆ core bonded to 12 edge‐bridging inner and six outer oxygen atoms. The clusters are arranged to slabs which are sandwiched by layers of [Ta(+5)₃O₁₃] triple octahedra. Additional Ta(+5) and Eu(+2) atoms provide the cohesion of these structural units. Twelve‐fold coordinated Eu(+2) atoms are situated on a triply degenerate position 33 pm displaced from the threefold axis of symmetry. A depletion of the Eu(+2) site from 6 to 5.5 atoms per unit cell reduces the number of electrons available for Ta‐Ta bonding from 15 to 14.67 electrons per cluster. Between 125 and 320 K Eu_1.83Ta₁₅O₃₂ is semi‐conducting with a band gap of 0.23 eV. The course of the magnetization is consistently described with the Brillouin function in terms of a M_mol/(N_Aμ_B) versus B/T plot in the temperature range 5 K — 320 K and at magnetic flux densities 0.1 T — 5 T. At moderate flux densities (< 1 T) the magnetic moment agrees fairly well with the expected value of 7.94 μ_B for free Eu (2+) ions with 4f⁷ configuration in ⁸S_7/2 ground state. Below 5 K, anisotropic magnetization measurements at flux densities B < 1 T point to an onset of an antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu spins within the layers and an incipient ferromagnetic ordering perpendicular to the layers.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photoactivity of Ta2O5-grafted SiO2 nanoparticles

Herein, we discuss the synthesis as well as material and photochemical characterization of nanometer‐sized Ta₂O₅ decorated, in a controlled fashion, on top of 20 nm diameter SiO₂ particles to yield a composite oxide with a tunable band‐gap width. Particular emphasis is paid to control of particle size, and control of the distribution of the overlying oxide. The nanoscale dimension imparts a high surface area and introduces quantum confinement effects that displace the conduction band more negatively and the valence band more positively on the electrochemical scale of potentials. This band shift results in an increase of the number of possible participants in photocatalytic reactions. The band shift is shown to result in an increase in driving force for thermodynamically feasible reactions. By decorating SiO₂ with smaller‐sized Ta₂O₅, the interplay of the Lewis acidity of SiO₂ and the contact area between Ta₂O₅ and SiO₂ is utilized to develop a photocatalyst with higher photoactivity than pure Ta₂O₅.     

Helical Mesoporous Tantalum Oxide Nanotubes: Formation,Optical Activity,and Applications

Nanomaterials with helical morphologies have attracted much attention owing to their potential applications as nanosprings, chirality sensors and in chiral optics. Single‐handed helical Ta₂O₅ nanotubes prepared through a supramolecular templating approach are described. The handedness is controlled by that of the organic self‐assemblies of chiral low‐molecular‐weight gelators (LMWGs). The chiral LMWGs self‐assemble into single‐handed twisted nanoribbons through H‐bonding, hydrophobic association, and π‐π stacking. The Ta₂O₅ nanotubes are formed by the adsorption and polycondensation of Ta₂O₅ oligomers on the surfaces and edges of the twisted organic nanoribbons followed by removal of the template. The optical activity of the nanotubes is proposed to originate from the chiral defects on the inner surfaces of the tubular structures. Single‐handed twisted LiTaO₃ nanotubes can also be prepared using Ta₂O₅ nanotubes.     

Pyrochlore and Perovskite Potassium Tantalate: Enthalpies of Formation and Phase Transformation

Alkali niobates and tantalates are currently important lead‐free functional oxides. The formation and decomposition energetics of potassium tantalum oxide compounds (K₂O?Ta₂O₅) were measured by high‐temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The enthalpies of formation from oxides of KTaO₃ perovskite and defect pyrochlores with K/Ta ratio of less than 1 stoichiometry—K_0.873Ta_2.226O₆, K_1.128Ta_2.175O₆, and K_1.291Ta_2.142O₆—were experimentally determined, and the values are (?203.63±2.92) kJ mol^?1 for KTaO₃ perovskite, and (?339.54±5.03) kJ mol^?1, (?369.71±4.84) kJ mol^?1, and (?364.78±4.24) kJ mol^?1, respectively, for non‐stoichiometric pyrochlores. That of stoichiometric defect K₂Ta₂O₆ pyrochlore, by extrapolation, is (?409.87±6.89) kJ mol^?1. Thus, the enthalpy of the stoichiometric pyrochlore and perovskite at K/Ta=1 stoichiometry are equal in energy within experimental error. By providing data on the thermodynamic stability of each phase, this work supplies knowledge on the phase‐formation process and phase stability within the K₂O?Ta₂O₅ system, thus assisting in the synthesis of materials with reproducible properties based on controlled processing. Additionally, the relation of stoichiometric and non‐stoichiometric pyrochlore with perovskite structure in potassium tantalum oxide system is discussed.     

Ordered Mesoporous Thin Films of Rutile TiO2 Nanocrystals Mixed with Amorphous Ta2O5

Ordered mesoporous thin films of composites of rutile TiO₂ nanocrystals with amorphous Ta₂O₅ are fabricated by evaporation‐induced self‐assembly followed by subsequent heat treatment beyond 780 °C. Incorporation of selected amounts of Ta₂O₅ (20 mol %) in the mesoporous TiO₂ film, together with the unique mesoporous structure itself, increased the onset of crystallization temperature which is high enough to ensure the crystallization of amorphous titania to rutile. The ordered mesoporous structure benefits from a block‐copolymer template, which stabilizes the mesostructure of the amorphous mixed oxides before crystallization. The surface and in‐depth composition analysis by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests a homogeneous intermixing of the two oxides in the thin film. A detailed X‐ray absorption fine structure measurement on the composite film containing 20 mol % Ta₂O₅ and heated to 800 °C confirms the amorphous nature of the Ta₂O₅ phase. Photocatalytic activity evaluation suggests that the rutile nanocrystals in the synthesized ordered mesoporous thin film possess good ability to assist the photodegradation of rhodamine B in water under illumination by UV light.     

A Redox‐Mediator‐Free Solar‐Driven Z‐Scheme Water‐Splitting System Consisting of Modified Ta3N5 as an Oxygen‐Evolution Photocatalyst

Tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) modified with various O₂‐evolution cocatalysts was employed as a photocatalyst for water oxidation under visible light (λ>420 nm) in an attempt to construct a redox‐mediator‐free Z‐scheme water‐splitting system. Ta₃N₅ was prepared by nitriding Ta₂O₅ powder under a flow of NH₃ at 1023–1223 K. The activity of Ta₃N₅ for water oxidation from an aqueous AgNO₃ solution as an electron acceptor without cocatalyst was dependent on the generation of a well‐crystallized Ta₃N₅ phase with a low density of anionic defects. Modification of Ta₃N₅ with nanoparticulate metal oxides as cocatalysts for O₂ evolution improved water‐oxidation activity. Of the cocatalysts examined, cobalt oxide (CoO_x) was found to be the most effective, improving the water‐oxidation efficiency of Ta₃N₅ by six to seven times. Further modification of CoO_x/Ta₃N₅ with metallic Ir as an electron sink allowed one to achieve Z‐scheme water splitting under simulated sunlight through interparticle electron transfer without the need for a shuttle redox mediator in combination with Ru‐loaded SrTiO₃ doped with Rh as a H₂‐evolution photocatalyst.     

Synthetic,Structural, and Spectroscopic Investigations of K3Nb8O21‐type Complex Oxides K3MTa7O21 (M = Ti,Zr)

Potassium‐containing zirconium(IV)/titanium(IV) tantalum(V) oxides, K₃TiTa₇O₂₁ ( 1 ) and K₃ZrTa₇O₂₁ ( 2 ), of K₃Nb₈O₂₁‐type of compounds are afforded from potassium‐molybdate flux. Both compounds crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6₃/mcm (no. 193) with a = 908.69(2), c = 1202.83(7) pm and c/a = 1.324 (Z = 2) for 1 and a = 913.30(3), c = 1219.21(6) pm and c/a = 1.335 (Z = 2) for 2 , respectively. The Structural motif of [MTa₇O₂₁]^3– (M = Ti⁴⁺ or Zr⁴⁺) consists of edge‐shared (M,Ta)₆O₂₄‐units that are similar to corner‐sharing Ta₆O₂₇ units of synthetic soro‐silicate K₃Ta₃Si₂O₁₃ and double borate K₃Ta₃B₂O₁₂. The solid state bandgap measurements revealed that calculated values (3.26 eV for K₃TiTa₇O₂₁ and 3.14 eV for K₃ZrTa₇O₂₁) are dependent on aperture of Ta–O–Ta bond angle as it was previously shown for perovskite‐type tantalate photocatalysts.     

A new two‐dimensional managnese(II) coordination polymer constructed by 2,2′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate)

In recent years, N‐heterocyclic carboxylate ligands have attracted much interest in the preparation of new coordination polymers since they contain N‐atom donors, as well as O‐atom donors, and have a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to polymers with intriguing structures and interesting properties. A new two‐dimensional coordination polymer, namely poly[[μ₃‐2,2′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(4‐carboxy‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylato)‐κ⁶O⁴,N³,N^3′,O^4′:O⁵:O^5′]manganese(II)], [Mn(C₁₆H₈N₄O₈)]_n or [Mn(H₄Phbidc)]_n, has been synthesized by the reaction of Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O (OAc is acetate) with 2,2′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid) (H₆Phbidc) under solvothermal conditions. In the polymer, each Mn^II ion is six‐coordinated by two N atoms from one H₄Phbidc²⁻ ligand and by four O atoms from three H₄Phbidc²⁻ ligands, forming a significantly distorted octahedral MnN₂O₄ coordination geometry. The Mn^II ions are linked by hexadentate H₄Phbidc²⁻ ligands, leading to a two‐dimensional structure parallel to the ac plane. In the crystal, adjacent layers are further connected by N—H…O hydrogen bonds, forming a three‐dimensional structure in the solid state.     

MAl2Ta35O70 (M = Na,K, Rb), niedervalente Oxotantalate mit isolierten kuboktaedrischen Ta6O12-Clustern

MAl₂Ta₃₅O₇₀ (M = Na, K, Rb), Low-Valent Oxotantalates with Discrete Cuboctahedral Ta₆O₁₂ Clusters The title compounds were prepared by reducing Ta₂O₅ with tantalum and aluminium in the presence of alkali metal carbonates at 1650 K. NaAl₂Ta₃₅O₇₀ was characterized by means of a single crystal X-ray structure determination: space group P 3, lattice parameters a = 780.15(7) pm, c = 2621.7(8) pm, Z = 1, 167 variables, R_F = 0.048. The structure can be described in terms of a close packing of oxide ions with specific defects. The sequence of the layers is hhcchchcchh. The characteristic structural units are Ta₆O₁₂ clusters being substantially stabilized by Ta–Ta bonding (d_Ta–Ta = 279.3–283.3 pm, 14 electrons per cluster). The sodium cations occupy acentrically and statistically half of the anti-cuboctahedral sites. The compounds are semiconductors with band gaps E_a of 0.2 to 0.3 eV.     

Three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded structures in the hydrated proton‐transfer salts of isonipecotamide with the dicarboxylic oxalic and adipic acid homologues

The structures of the 1:1 hydrated proton‐transfer compounds of isonipecotamide (piperidine‐4‐carboxamide) with oxalic acid, 4‐carbamoylpiperidinium hydrogen oxalate dihydrate, C₆H₁₃N₂O⁺·C₂HO₄⁻·2H₂O, (I), and with adipic acid, bis(4‐carbamoylpiperidinium) adipate dihydrate, 2C₆H₁₃N₂O⁺·C₆H₈O₄²⁻·2H₂O, (II), are three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded constructs involving several different types of enlarged water‐bridged cyclic associations. In the structure of (I), the oxalate monoanions give head‐to‐tail carboxylic acid O—H...O_carboxyl hydrogen‐bonding interactions, forming C(5) chain substructures which extend along a. The isonipecotamide cations also give parallel chain substructures through amide N—H...O hydrogen bonds, the chains being linked across b and down c by alternating water bridges involving both carboxyl and amide O‐atom acceptors and amide and piperidinium N—H...O_carboxyl hydrogen bonds, generating cyclic R₄³(10) and R₃²(11) motifs. In the structure of (II), the asymmetric unit comprises a piperidinium cation, half an adipate dianion, which lies across a crystallographic inversion centre, and a solvent water molecule. In the crystal structure, the two inversion‐related cations are interlinked through the two water molecules, which act as acceptors in dual amide N—H...O_water hydrogen bonds, to give a cyclic R₄²(8) association which is conjoined with an R₄⁴(12) motif. Further N—H...O_water, water O—H...O_amide and piperidinium N—H...O_carboxyl hydrogen bonds give the overall three‐dimensional structure. The structures reported here further demonstrate the utility of the isonipecotamide cation as a synthon for the generation of stable hydrogen‐bonded structures. The presence of solvent water molecules in these structures is largely responsible for the non‐occurrence of the common hydrogen‐bonded amide–amide dimer, promoting instead various expanded cyclic hydrogen‐bonding motifs.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Rb6Ta4S22: The First Tantalum Polysulfide Composed of the Dimeric Complex Anion [Ta4S22]6–

The reaction of Rb₂S₃, Ta and S in a 1.3 : 1 : 5.6 molar ratio at 400 °C yields red‐orange crystals of the new ternary compound Rb₆Ta₄S₂₂ being the first tantalum polysulfide containing the dimeric complex anion [Ta₄S₂₂]^6–. The polysulfide anions are composed of two Ta₂S₁₁ subunits which are linked to Ta₄S₂₂ units via terminal sulfur ligands. The Ta⁵⁺ centers are coordinated by S₂^2– and S^2– ligands according to [(Ta₂(μ₂‐η²,η¹‐S₂)₃(η²‐S₂)(S)₂)₂(μ₂‐η¹,η¹‐S₂)]^6–. Every Ta⁵⁺ ion is surrounded by seven sulfur ions forming a strongly distorted pentagonal bipyramid. In the crystal structure the discrete [Ta₄S₂₂]^6– anions are stacked parallel to the crystallographic b‐axis. The Rb⁺ cations are located between these stacks. Rb₆Ta₄S₂₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with a = 11.8253(9) Å, b = 7.9665(4) Å, c = 19.174(2) Å, β = 104.215(9)°, V = 1751.0(2) ų, Z = 2.     

Partial nitrogen loss in SrTaO2N and LaTiO2N oxynitride perovskites

SrTaO₂N heated in a helium atmosphere began to release nitrogen of approximately 30 at% at 950 °C while maintaining the perovskite structure and its color changed from orange to dark green. Then it decomposed above 1200 °C to a black mixture of Sr_1.4Ta_0.6O_2.73, Ta₂N, and Sr₅Ta₄O₁₅. The second decomposition was not clearly observed when SrTaO₂N was heated in a nitrogen atmosphere below 1550 °C. After heating at 1500 °C for 3 h under a 0.2 MPa nitrogen atmosphere, the perovskite product became dark green and conductive. Structure refinement results suggested that the product was a mixture of tetragonal and cubic perovskites with a decreased ordering of N³⁻/O²⁻. The sintered body was changed to an n-type semiconductor after a partial loss of nitrogen to be reduced from the originally insulating SrTaO₂N perovskite lattice. LaTiO₂N was confirmed to have a similar cis-configuration of the TiO₄N₂ octahedron as that of TaO₄N₂ in SrTaO₂N. It also released some of its nitrogen at 800 °C changing its color from brown to black and then decomposed to a mixture of LaTiO₃, La₂O₃, and TiN at 1100 °C. These temperatures are lower than those in SrTaO₂N.     

Tantalcluster in oxidischer Matrix – Synthese und Strukturen der gemischtvalenten Oxotantalate M2–δTa15O32 (M = K,Rb (δ = 0); M = Sr (δ = 0.15), Ba (δ = 0.12))

Tantalum Cluster in an Oxidic Matrix – Synthesis and Structures of Mixed-Valence Oxotantalates M_2–δTa₁₅O₃₂ (M = K, Rb (δ = 0); M = Sr (δ = 0.15), Ba (δ = 0.12)) The mixed-valent oxides Sr_1.85Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 1 ), Ba_1.88Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 2 ), K₂Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 3 ), Rb₂Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 4 ) were prepared from appropriate mixtures of Ta₂O₅, tantalum and the corresponding carbonate at 1520–1670 K in sealed tantalum tubes. According to X-ray single crystal structure analyses the oxides crystallize in the space group R3¯, Z = 1. The lattice parameters in the hexagonal setting are a = 777.36(11), c = 3516.2(7) pm for 1 , a = 778.87(11), c = 3548.1(7) pm for 2 , a = 780.7(2), c = 3573.1(11) pm for 3 , and a = 781.90(11), c = 3593.0(7) pm for 4 . The oxide ions form a defect dense packing with the layer sequence chhhh. Anti-cuboctahedral sites are completely occupied by the alkali metal cations. The alkaline earth cations occupy 92 to 94% of such sites; they are displaced from the centres. Smaller voids are located in the centres of the cuboctahedral Ta₆O₁₂ clusters forming the characteristic structural unit of these low-valent oxotantalates. In case of 3 and 4 the clusters have 13 electrons, in case of 1 and 2 they have close to 15 electrons available for Ta–Ta-bonding. Moreover, the structures of the alkali and alkaline earth metal compounds differ notably with respect to the spectrum of Ta–O and Ta–Ta distances in the Ta₃O₁₃ octahedra triples forming another characteristic structural unit for these oxides. Such differences are traced back to distinct local charge balances for the uni- and divalent cations. The oxides 2 , 3 are semiconductors with band gaps ranging from 130 to 360 meV.     

Rubidium‐ und Caesium‐Verbindungen mit dem Isopolyanion [Ta6O19]8– – Synthesen,Kristallstrukturen, thermische und schwingungsspektroskopische Untersuchungen der Oxotantalate A8[Ta6O19] · n H2O (A = Rb,Cs; n = 0, 4, 14)

Rubidium und Caesium Compounds with the Isopolyanion [Ta₆O₁₉]^8– – Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Thermogravimetric and Vibrational Spectrocopic Analysis of the Oxotantalates A₈[Ta₆O₁₉] · n H₂O (A = Rb, Cs; n = 0, 4, 14) The compounds A₈[Ta₆O₁₉] · n H₂O (A = Rb, Cs; n = 0, 4, 14) contain the isopoly anion [Ta₆O₁₉]^8–, which consists of six [TaO₆] octahedra connected via corners to form a large octahedron. They transform into each other by reversible hydratation/dehydratation processes, as shown from thermoanalytic measurements (TG/DSC), and show also structural similarities. Cs₈[Ta₆O₁₉] (tetragonal, I4/m, a = 985.9(1) pm, c = 1403.3(1) pm, Z = 2), the isotypic phases A₈[Ta₆O₁₉] · 14 H₂O (A = Rb/Cs; monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 1031.30(6)/1055.4(1) pm, b = 1590.72(9)/1614.9(6) pm, c = 1150.43(6)/1171.4(1) pm, β = 100.060(1)/99.97(2)°, Z = 2) and Rb₈[Ta₆O₁₉] · 4 H₂O (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 1216.9(4) pm, b = 1459.2(5) pm, c = 1414.7(4) pm, β = 90.734(6)°, Z = 4) have been characterised on the basis of single crystal x‐ray data. Furthermore the RAMAN spectra allow a detailled comparison of the hexatantalate ions in the four compounds.     

A candidate for a single‐chain magnet: [Mn3(OAc)6(py)2(H2O)2]n (OAc is acetate and py is pyridine)

The title complex, catena‐poly[di‐μ₃‐acetato‐κ⁶O:O:O′‐tetra‐μ₂‐acetato‐κ⁴O:O;κ⁴O:O′‐diaquabis(pyridine‐κN)trimanganese(II)], [Mn₃(CH₃COO)₆(C₆H₅N)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, is a true one‐dimensional coordination polymer, in which the Mn^II centres form a zigzag chain along [010]. The asymmetric unit contains two metal centres, one of which (Mn1) lies on an inversion centre, while the other (Mn2) is placed close to an inversion centre on a general position. Since all the acetates behave as bridging ligands, although with different μ₂‐ and μ₃‐coordination modes, a one‐dimensional polymeric structure is formed, based on trinuclear repeat units (Mn1...Mn2...Mn2′), in which the Mn2 and Mn2′ sites are related by an inversion centre. Within this monomeric block, the metal–metal separations are Mn1...Mn2 = 3.36180 (18) Å and Mn2...Mn2′ = 4.4804 (3) Å. Cation Mn1, located on an inversion centre, displays an [MnO₆] coordination sphere, while Mn2, on a general position, has a slightly stronger [MnO₅N] ligand field, as the sixth coordination site is occupied by a pyridine molecule. Both centres approximate an octahedral ligand field. The chains are parallel in the crystal structure and interact via hydrogen bonds involving coordinated water molecules. However, the shortest metal–metal separation between two chains [5.3752 (3) Å] is large compared with the intrachain interactions. These structural features are compatible with a single‐chain magnet behaviour, as confirmed by preliminary magnetic studies.     

Hydrogen bonding in polyamino‐polyalcohols: a monohydrated cocrystal of 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide and 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol

In the title monohydrated cocrystal, namely 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide–1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol–water (1/1/1), C₆H₁₆N₃O₃⁺·I⁻·C₆H₁₅N₃O₃·H₂O, the neutral 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol (taci) molecule and the monoprotonated 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol cation (Htaci⁺) both adopt a chair conformation, with the three O atoms in axial and the three N atoms in equatorial positions. The cation, but not the neutral taci unit, exhibits intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding. The entire structure is stabilized by a complex three‐dimensional network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The neutral taci entities and the Htaci⁺ cations are each aligned into chains along [001]. In these chains, two O—H...N interactions generate a ten‐membered ring as the predominant structural motif. The rings consist of vicinal 2‐amino‐1‐hydroxyethylene units of neighbouring molecules, which are paired via centres of inversion. The chains are interconnected into undulating layers parallel to the ac plane, and the layers are further held together by O—H...N hydrogen bonds and additional interactions with the iodide counter‐anions and solvent water molecules.     

Synthesis and characterization of two novel bimetallic macrocyclic complexes generated from 1,2,4‐triazole‐containing semi‐rigid ligands and M(NO3)2 units (M = Ni and Zn)

Bimetallic macrocyclic complexes have attracted the attention of chemists and various organic ligands have been used as molecular building blocks, but supramolecular complexes based on semi‐rigid organic ligands containing 1,2,4‐triazole have remained rare until recently. It is easier to obtain novel topologies by making use of asymmetric semi‐rigid ligands in the self‐assembly process than by making use of rigid ligands. A new semi‐rigid ligand, 3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine (L), has been synthesized and used to generate two novel bimetallic macrocycle complexes, namely bis{μ‐3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine}bis[(methanol‐κO)(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)nickel(II)] dinitrate, [Ni₂(NO₃)₂(C₁₇H₁₄N₆S)₂(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₂, (I), and bis{μ‐3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine}bis[(methanol‐κO)(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)zinc(II)] dinitrate, [Zn₂(NO₃)₂(C₁₇H₁₄N₆S)₂(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₂, (II), by solution reactions with the inorganic salts M(NO₃)₂ (M = Ni and Zn, respectively) in mixed solvents. In (I), two Ni^II cations with the same coordination environment are linked by L ligands through Ni—N bonds to form a bimetallic ring. Compound (I) is extended into a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic ac plane via N—H…O, O—H…N and O—H…O hydrogen bonds, and neighbouring two‐dimensional planes are parallel and form a three‐dimensional structure via π–π stacking. Compound (II) contains two bimetallic rings with the same coordination environment of the Zn^II cations. The Zn^II cations are bridged by L ligands through Zn—N bonds to form the bimetallic rings. One type of bimetallic ring constructs a one‐dimensional nanotube via O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds along the crystallographic a direction, and the other constructs zero‐dimensional molecular cages via O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds. They are interlinked into a two‐dimensional network in the ac plane through extensive N—H…O hydrogen bonds, and a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture is formed via π–π interactions between the centroids of the benzene rings of the quinoline ring systems.